Zakaria Abdulla
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Zakaria Abdulla (Zekerîa) | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Zakaria Abdulla |
| Born | Arbil, Arbil, Iraqi Kurdistan |
| Origin | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Genre(s) | Kurdish Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Composer |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboard |
| Years active | 1998 - Present |
| Label(s) | Zakaria Music Production |
| Website | www.zakariamusic.com |
Zakaria Abdulla (Kurdish: Zekerîa Ebdulla) is a Kurdish music pop-star. He is best known for his pop music, which combines Kurdish melodies with various popular music styles.
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[edit] Background
Zakaria Abdulla, was born in Hewler or Erbil or Arbil, Southern Kurdistan, into a musical family. From his early childhood,he spent most of his interest and time on music. As a refugee, Zakaria moved through several countries before settling in Sweden.
[edit] Achievements
Breaking away from traditional 2-beat march-like rhythms used in Kurdish music, Zakaria began blending other genres into his music, defining a new style of post-modern Kurdish popular music. Zakaria has an established young fan base, but his music appeals to people of all ages.
In 1998, his first album To Hati (trans: "You Came") was well received by Kurdish audiences worldwide. It was recorded with the help of a popular Swedish musician. To Hati was the first music video in his career.
A year later, at the end of 1999, he released his second album Bigerêwe (trans: "Come Back"), produced by Zakaria Music Pro together with some Kurdish musicians. Bigêrewe, recorded in Sweden, was the only track with a video in this album.
In 2001 he released his third album Daye (trans: "Mom"), which comprised a mix of Kurdish, Middle-Eastern and pop music. It sold over 1,000,000 copies world-wide. The videos for the tracks Daye and Boçi hati (trans: "Why Did You Come?") were shot in Kurdistan.
In 2002, Zakaria released his silver album Rojgâr (trans: "Days"), selling more than 1,500,000 copies. The album consisted of 14 songs and was recorded in Turkey. In this work, Zakaria introduced a "Fantazi style" aspect into his genre. The hit video track from this album, Netbinim (trans: "If I Don't See You") was shot in Turkey, and Rojgar and Tunazaneke followed.
By this time, Zakaria was well-loved, touring internationally and appearing on Kurdish exile television stations, with an 11-piece orchestra comprising musicians living in Sweden, such as Shapur, Bejar (bass), Zak Keith (guitar) and Marcelo Nuñez (drums). Concert appearances were often greeted by screaming fans, storming the stage, crying, and asking only to have their picture taken with Zakaria. As a result Zakaria lived in hiding, under siege from admirers.
His next album Têlinaz (trans: "Lovely"), released in October 2004, sold more than 3 million copies worldwide, introducing him to millions of non-Kurdish audiences. Têlinaz was recorded in Turkey, and comprised a mix of Middle-Eastern (Fantazi) and pop music. Têlinaz became the best-selling album in Kurdistan in 2004 and 2005. It was recorded with new sound techniques and was technically groundbreaking for Zakaria.
Zakaria released his latest album in January 2007, titled Gencî Pîr (trans:"Old Youth"), consisting of 12 songs, selling more than 6 million copies. The album was largely a work of Fantazi and pop music, and the song Roji Bextim became a successful R&B hit. Zakaria shot a music video for this new album in Turkey, called Gullê (trans: "Flower" or "Honey"), with an Italian model playing the leading role. The video, released on December 25, was welcomed as a Christmas present by many Kurdish people. However, the album as a whole was widely criticized by most Kurdish audiences, for not measuring up to his usual standards.
Zakaria continues to write and produce, but is also now involved in real estate investments. He has built a small town of flats called Naz City in Erbil, Kurdistan. It is a joint venture with Nechirvan Barzani.
[edit] Discography
To Hatî (You came) - (January, 1998)
- 01. To Hatî
- 02. Xanmê xanmê
- 03. Nemzanî
- 04. Were lam
- 05. Laye laye
Bigerrêwe (Come back) - (November, 1999)
- 01. Bigerrêwe
- 02. Serçopî
- 03. Kîje Hewlêrî
- 04. Çende ciwanî
- 05. Xelletandit em dille
- 06. Emanê
- 07. Nazanim çon xoşimwîstî
- 08. Wele te nagirim
- 09. Hawrî dilldarî
Daye (Mom) - (January, 2001)
- 01. Daye
- 02. Baw baw
- 03. Rêbwar
- 04. Azîz wanabê
- 05. Agir ketiye dillê min
- 06. Naze
- 07. Gullî genim
- 08. Gullfiroş
- 09. Her yadit mawe
- 10. Ha gullê
- 11. Boçî hatî
- 12. Dûrî to
Rojgar (Days) - (May, 2002)
- 01. Rojgar
- 02. Netbînm
- 03. Boçî
- 04. Dîlana
- 05. Hellperrkê
- 06. Beserhat
- 07. Suham
- 08. Yaran
- 09. Gullalle
- 10. Tu naza neke
- 11. Werewe
- 12. Gullê
- 13. Sallana
- 14. Takey
Bonus Track
- 15. Kurdistan
Tîlînaz (Lovely) - (October, 2004)
- 01. Bo peşîmanî
- 02. Tîlînaz
- 03. Jyan bê to
- 04. Şahjina rojhilatê
- 05. Le dudllît wazbêne
- 06. Were esmer
- 07. Çon wanabê
- 08. Warê min
- 09. Tum nawê
- 10. Meylî willat
- 11. Saqî
- 12. Agirî îşiq
- 13. Were semaye
- 14. Şivanê garê
- 15. Sergerdanî
Genci Pir (Old Youth) - (January, 2007)
- 01. Direng hatî
- 02. Gullê
- 03. Kîjê nekey
- 04. Min tu navê
- 05. Gencî pîr
- 06. Tom dewê
- 07. Carê dill dedey
- 08. Rojî bextim
- 09. Bo min be
- 10. Derdê te
- 11. Işqit
- 12. Çon dillit dê.
